Local printing of the Sturgis Journal ceases, with printing moved to a sister facility in Allegan. The move is made by parent company GateHouse Media, with a goal of company-wide efficiency. Fourteen employees lose their jobs.

Sturgis 2022

“Sturgis 2022” is launched, an initiative to define goals for the next decade in the Sturgis community. Residents are surveyed to determine priorities in areas such as business and employment growth, family environment, street development and quality of life.

Hot, dry summer

Extreme heat and low precipitation dominates news in the summer in 2012. Local water levels drop, agriculture crops suffer in extreme drought conditions and people seek relief from the heat.

Football coach resigns

Bill Keim resigns as head varsity football coach at Sturgis High School, days after a meeting with Sturgis Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Langdon and athletic director Mark Adams, regarding use of vulgar language with players, lack of player retention and parental complaints. A faction of school district community members express concern and offer support for Keim, who is eventually reinstated as an assistant coach.

Election

Local election races are the highest-impact in recent memory, with the retirements of two longtime St. Joseph County judges — District Judge William Welty and Probate Judge Thomas Shumaker. Also at stake are Headlee amendment proposals in three local school districts. Voter turnout is unusually high in many county jurisdictions.